Miniature rose plant `Honey Bear`

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by light apricot blend buds and flowers of distinctive form and further identified by the rounded, dwarf, compact plant.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized --as to novelty--by the light apricot blend budsand flowers which in general coloring effect are similar to Colibri(Miniature--non-patented).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers borne one to a stem with rarely aside bud. Slightly fragrant.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded, bushy growth habit, semi-glossyfoliage with broad pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similarin form and size to Rise 'N Shine its seed parent (Miniature--U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,231).

The plant which has a normal height of 10 to 12 inches, can easily bemaintained by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in a greenhouse oroutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery(Pixie Treasures Miniature Rose Nursery, 4121 Prospect Ave. Yorba Linda,Orange County, Calif.) under conditions of careful control andobservation, as a cross between Rise 'N Shine (Miniature--U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,231) as the seed parent and Holy Toledo (Miniature--U.S.Plant Pat. No. 4,659) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it at the nursery, located as foresaid, by budding as well asby cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor identification are employed.

Type: Hardy; bushy; dwarf; rounded; upright; seedling; greenhouse;outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; pot plant.

Class: Miniature.

Market name.--Honey Bear.

International identifier.--Pixihon.

Flowers borne: Singly on slightly curved, slender stems; rarely aside-bud.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant all season, outdoors and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length, 21/2-3 cm; erect; slender; slightly curved;sturdy; lt. green tinted bronze; few glands; few hairs.

Size.--Before calyx breaks -- 2-21/2 cm.

Form.--Pointed; foliaceous parts extend beyond tip of bud one quarter ormore of its length.

Color.--Medium green. As calyx breaks -- surface of outside petalshowing color near to Orpiment orange 10/2.

Bloom:

Size.--When fully open -- small, averaging 13/4 to 2 in. or 5 cmmeasuring across top of bloom.

Petalage.--Very double, 40 to 45 petals, arranged symmetrically.

Form.--From urn shaped bud it opens informally with outer petals curvingdownward at sides; inside petals which are not as broad curve downwardonly slightly.

Petals:

Substance.--Moderately thick and of good substance.

Texture.--Smooth and satiny on both surfaces. Slightly veined.

Shape.--Outside petal: Smooth edged. Broad with definite point at apex.Broad base. Width -- approximately 2 to 21/2 cm. Intermediate petal:Same as outside petal -- varying in width from 11/4 to 11/2 cm. Insidepetal: Same as outside and intermediate petal but smaller with fewpetaloids close to stamens.

Color: One half to three quarters open flowers from plants grownoutdoors at Pixie Treasures Rose Nursery, Yorba Linda, Calif., March1988.

Outside petal.--Outside surface: Outer edge and center area near incoloring to Cadmium orange 8/3 blending to base of a hue close to Indianyellow 6/2. Inside surface: Outer edge and center area near in coloringto Tangerine orange 9/3 blending to base of a hue close to Indian yellow6/2.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface: Outer edge and center area near incoloring to Indian yellow 6/3 blending deeper to near Indian yellow 6/2at the base. Inside surface: Same as inside surface of outside petal.Base same.

Inside petal.--Same as intermediate petal. Same base.

General coloring effect:

Newly open flowers.--Symetrically arranged petals of the lighter shadesof Tangerine and Cadmium orange with a darker hue of the same coloringon the inner petals.

Three days open.--Keeps symmetry when fully open with no stamensshowing. Holds delicate coloring well. Outer edges of outside petalssometimes bears a tinge of light pink from exposure.

Behavior: Opens well in all weather. Petals tend to hang on for 5 to 6days, then fall clean, calyx remains and occasionally forms a hip.

Flower longivity (March 1988).--Plant in pot -- 4 to 5 days; plant inground -- 5 to 6 days; cut flowers at living room temperature -- 3 to 4days.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--45 to 50; flairing outward.

Filiments.--2 to 4 mm; uneven lengths.

Anthers.--Light golden; introse.

Pollen.--Moderate amount.

Pistils.--Projects above disc.

Styles.--25 to 30; loosely flairing; 4 to 5 mm; light mauve.

Ovaries.--Enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--Few if any.

Sepals.--Spear shaped; reflexed.

Seeds.--Few if any.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five leaflets; length -- varying 2 to 21/2 in. or 5to 61/2 cm; semi-glossy; good substance.

Leaflets.--Broad lanceolate and 2/3 rds. as wide as its length;supported by a very short petiolule.

Rachis.--Length 31/2 to 4 cm; upper side grooved; underside -- 2 or 3soft thorns.

Stipules.--Medium long, smooth; auricles flairing outward at 45 degrees.

Color.--Medium green; rachis -- bronze; serrated edges -- green.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; upright and rounded; height -- 25 to 30 cm or 10 to 12inches.

Growth.--Moderately vigorous; 2 to 3 cm between internodes.

Canes.--Slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Medium green.

Branches.--Much branched; medium green.

Thorns.--Moderate amount; small, dilated at base.

New shoots.--Green -- bronze edged.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, rounded, much branched habitsubstantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers which are in a color hue similar to Colibri (Miniature rose--nonpatented) giving a coloring effect of light apricot blend and resemblingRise 'N Shine (Miniature rose--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,231) in form andsize; having buds and flowers of a distinctive and unusual appearance ascompared to other miniature rose plants; said flowers being fullydouble, uniquely formed and further characterized by a compact growthhabit with abundant foliage, ease of propagation from soft-wood cuttingsor by budding, and being a prolific producer of flowers.